Economic Development eNews | August 6, 2024 | |
Strongly Rooted in Excellence | |
Main photo: Darrin Coville with associate Kay Lowry Richards standing in their field of bright red echinacea. | Photos: top, Hanging baskets and potted plants occupy the Garden Centre; the watering system keeps plants healthy in the greenhouse; autumn pumpkin and chrysanthemum arrangements; bottom, Darrin during Christmas tree season. | |
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MAYNARD - To stay in business for generations, a company must be tough, persistent, and resilient. Coville’s Greenhouses & Garden Centre uses the 'work smarter, not harder' philosophy, remaining a successful and growing local business for over 50 years.
The Coville family's farming roots began on the Sixth Concession in Augusta Township. In the early 1970s, Floyd and Barbara Coville and their young family settled on 50 acres of land on the Second Concession. They continued the family tradition of produce farming. A small greenhouse was used to start their vegetable plants, adding marigolds and other annual flowers, complementing their produce offerings. With a reputation for superior quality vegetable plants, customers began to purchase the flowers as well.
Demand for annual flowers grew steadily. By the mid-1990s, the business shifted from market gardening to growing and selling annual flowers from three greenhouses. Their son, Darrin, and his wife, Carla, also began taking an interest in the flower business. After many years of working alongside his parents in the greenhouse part-time, Darrin decided to make it his full-time job and eventually took over the business in 2018.
Since then, Darrin has made many changes to build resilience in an ever-changing industry. The business now operates through all four seasons of the year in their expanded garden centre and five greenhouses. The majority of their sales come from annual flowers, hanging baskets, and vegetable plants, all grown on-site each spring. Perennials, trees and shrubs from the garden centre are sold during the summer months while they grow their fall crop of chrysanthemums and pumpkins and offer fresh Christmas during the winter holiday season.
Alison Purvis, owner of Blooms’n Boughs fresh cut flower business, rents space on Coville’s property. Her business is a logical fit. She offers seasonal arrangements, along with custom-made wreaths and planters, and gives workshops in the fall and winter.
Many upgrades, such as the metered watering system, help Darrin ensure the precise needs of each plant are met in a way that is mindful of conservation. The business also promotes recycling plastic plant containers that would otherwise end up in landfills each year.
Thanks to the many word-of-mouth referrals Coville’s receives from their loyal customer base, they are sure to be a thriving local business for many years to come.
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INVISTA Investing $23M in Maitland Site | |
20th anniversary speakers included MP Michael Barrett and MPP Steve Clark both representing Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes; President and CEO of INVISTA Francis Murphy; Maitland Plant Manager Matthew Murton and Augusta Township Mayor Jeff Shaver. | |
MAITLAND - INVISTA, a global leader in chemical intermediates and polymers, is investing approximately $23 million CAD ($17 million USD) to re-commission HMD (hexamethylene diamine) assets at its Maitland, Ontario, site. HMD is an essential component for producing a high-performance polymer called nylon 6,6 used in various industries including automotive, apparel and consumer goods.
The announcement was made by INVISTA President and CEO Francis Murphy during a celebration of the Maitland plant’s 20 years as a Koch company. “We are thrilled to continue our long history in Maitland with this new investment,” Murphy said, emphasizing the site's performance track record, specifically for reducing energy consumption. In 2010, it was required that the plant meet a 20% reduction in energy consumption; by 2020, a 38% reduction was achieved.
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Currently, the site employs 95 full-time workers. Plant Manager Matthew Murton said the project will involve retrofitting existing equipment and is expected to create new jobs, the number of which is not yet known. Construction is due to begin upon regulatory approvals with production projected to begin in early 2025.
Local MP Michael Barrett congratulated the business for committing to the community; as well, MPP Steve Clark stated that he is looking forward to many more years for INVISTA in Augusta. Mayor Jeff Shaver gave thanks to all who worked to make this opportunity a reality; crediting the company for their insight and believing in the potential of the Maitland site. He commended the investment, noting its positive impact on the community. The project highlights Invista's commitment to local employment and its role as a key economic player in the region.
Murton closed the announcements with, "I am grateful to the retirees, the senior leadership team, officials, to the Evonik team for their preferred partnership and to the (INVISTA) Kingston Team who will be a big help in us moving this project forward."
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Matthew Murton cuts the 20th Anniversary cake. | |
Deadline Extended!
Are you one of the region’s fastest-growing private companies?
Get Recognized for Your Growth. The Eastern Ontario Business Journal wants to feature your business success in an upcoming issue as well as celebrated at a luncheon. Eligible companies must be headquartered in Eastern Ontario and be able to demonstrate significant year-over-year revenue growth over a three-year period. Applicants are ranked by percentage revenue growth between year one and year three of their most recent three-year fiscal period. Share your success story!
Top ten companies will be notified by September 10, 2024.
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New application deadline August 16th | |
Starter Company PLUS Intake Now Open! | |
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This program offers free comprehensive support and resources to help small business navigate challenges successfully. Receive step-by-step guidance in financial management, strategic planning, market research, and more. Through coaching, interactive workshops and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, you'll gain invaluable insights and build essential business skills. In addition, a business can receive up to $5,000 in funding.
To be eligible a business must attend a mandatory information session that will provide further program information, and insight on the time commitment required. At the end of the session an application can be requested.
August 27, 4-5 p.m.
September 4, 12-1 p.m.
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This program cohort will run from October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 and open to businesses in Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Gananoque, Front of Yonge, Athens, Elizabethtown-Kitley (south of Toledo), Brockville, Augusta, Prescott, Edwardsburgh Cardinal, and North Grenville.
To register for the information session, please email Carol Hardy at carol.hardy@uclg.on.ca.
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Two Businesses, One Convenient Location
Monday Nutrition has a purpose to simplify your wellness journey. Owner Alyssa Gallant has moved the retail part of her home-based business into a space at 14 Spencer Street in Spencerville that includes a commercial kitchen where she plans to make wholesome food. The studio space will remain located at 34 Bennett Street. Monday Nutrition shares this space with Kerry Smith-Blacker who runs The Spirit Smith, a spiritual shop offering metaphysical products. Find items from crystals to singing bowls in store and online.
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A New Venture for Merrickville - Puzzles!
TheOccurence is a fun and unique business that just opened their doors in Merrickville at 105 West Broadway Street, Unit 1. A completely made in Canada operation, owners Michael J. Bainbridge and Brigitte Gall design, print, cut, and box the puzzles in their Merrickville location. Images are true photographic-quality prints using museum-grade pigment inks on satin paper and offered in 77, 192, 504 and soon 1008 pieces. Their goal is to appeal to fellow science nerds and like-minded art geeks. Stop in and welcome them to the area.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | |
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Leveraging AI for Your Business
Discover how AI can transform your small business! Learn to enhance customer experiences, automate operations, and make data-driven decisions to drive growth. Join us for hands-on sessions and real-world examples to see AI in action.
Host: Leeds Grenville Small Business
Presenter: Fraser Hardy
When: August 12, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: 25 Central Avenue, Brockville, Board Room A
Cost: Free, advanced registration required.
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Resource Efficiency in Food Production
Minimizing food loss and resource waste is more important than ever for food processors. Our expert from Enviro-Stewards will offer practical solutions for improving efficiency, cutting costs, and promoting sustainability in a food-production environment. Zavida Coffee Roasters will share their experience regarding their zero waste initiative. This session promises valuable insights for enhancing operational performance and fostering environmental stewardship.
Host: EMC's GreenMFG Network
When: August 15, 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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SEe ON Summit: Envision Tourism Growth
Annual Tourism Summit: Thursday, September 12
Sustainable Tourism Summit: Friday, September 13
Both days feature incredible speakers, forward thinking ideas and inspiration to spark creativity and help envision tourism growth in South Eastern Ontario. Join in the evening of September 12 for a free networking reception for attendees of the SEe ON Summit.
Host: Regional Tourism Organization 9
When: September 12-13, 2024
Where: Double Tree Hilton, Kingston
Cost: Both days - $65.23, Either Day 1 or Day 2 - $38.61
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Crafting Audiences with Mailchimp
Gain the knowledge and skills to harness Mailchimp's audience management capabilities. Learn about audience segmentation in email marketing and how it contributes to improved campaign performance. Learn to create and manage audience lists and how to segment audiences based on various criteria.
Host: Regional Tourism Organization 9
Presenter: Jennifer Baker, JBC Consulting
When: September 10, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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Social Media 101
Designed for beginners, this session covers everything from setting up profiles to strategies for engaging your audience. You will be guided through the current landscape of social media, highlighting key features, benefits, and tips for effectively navigating platforms.
Host: Regional Tourism Organization 9
Presenter: Karine Parthenais, Mellow Brew Marketing
When: September 17, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Also available in French - September 19, 2024.
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Leeds Grenville eNews deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the August 20th edition should be received by August 12th.
- Submissions for the September 3rd edition should be received by August 26th.
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United Counties of Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office | | | | |
